The musings of a craft-challenged, LDS wife, mother, grandma, and author.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

BOOK NOOK REVIEW: DAUGHTERS OF JARED by H.B. Moore

DAUGHTERS OF JARED

By H. B. Moore

H. B. Moore’s decade-long immersion in Book of Mormon
research and Meso-American culture has produced eight previous novels based on
this beloved book of scripture. In Daughters
of Jared, her ninth Book of Mormon-based novel and eleventh book overall, Moore
fills her pen with that rich understanding and illustrates this world in vivid
detail, deftly interweaving excellent storytelling into an historical account
of deception and intrigue pulled from the Book of Ether. The result is a novel
with appeal to a broad spectrum of readers.

Moore’s use of a fictional, under-regarded, second daughter
of Jared provides a unique perspective on the events of this dethroned king and
his power-hungry eldest daughter. The author effectively ramps up the tension
and character development in the book by playing the two sisters off one
another, leaving the true nature of their relationship fragile and unclear, and
the fate of the heroine in peril until the book’s end. It’s an interesting plot
device that serves the book well. From the back cover:

Naiva, daughter of the dethroned King Jared II, lives in the
shadow of her privileged elder sister, Asherah. But when Asherah develops a
secret plot to return their father to the throne, Naiva’s resentment turns to
fear. Thwarting the scheme becomes more complicated when Naiva discovers that
Akish, the first man who has shown interest in her, is an integral part of the
plan.

Asherah traps Akish in a ploy to make him marry her, breaking
Naiva’s heart and leaving her feeling more alone than ever. Somehow Naiva must
find the strength to stand against the encroaching evil in the kingdom and a
sister who will stop at nothing to become queen. When Akish’s wickedness
escalates and threatens to destroy the bonds of sisterhood, Naiva must decide
between protecting her sister and honoring her new belief in the true God—a
forbidden belief that could cost her life.

The story will be familiar to readers of the Book of Mormon,
but this tale of power and corruption is ageless with universal appeal, even to
those unfamiliar with the scriptures upon which Daughters of Jared is based.

No matter one’s familiarity with the Book of Mormon account,
Moore’s research brings this complex culture to life, shedding light on
previously obscure facets of Meso-American religion, customs, dress, diet, hierarchy,
and geography. The author follows the historical record, and with the addition
of a few support characters, she fills gaps with intriguing, plausible
storytelling that breathes life into the history.

But Daughters of Jared
serves as more than a good historical fiction read. Readers that may have an
objection to fictionalized accounts of scriptural stories can trust Moore’s
instincts. As in her previous books, Moore takes her readers into the culture, delivers
a great read, and leaves them with a war-chest of insights and understandings of
this civilization and culture that will enhance their personal scriptural study
of the Book of Mormon.

I’d also recommend Daughters
of Jared as an insightful family read. H.B. Moore is a deft writer and an
avid scriptorian who strikes a perfect balance—able to deliver a compelling story
while delicately touching on the principles and lessons contained in the
original scriptural narrative. Her book, Daughters
of Jared, offers parents an opportunity to launch into discussions on topics
such as loyalty, accountability, faith in adversity, and a host of others.

Daughters of Jared is a book I highly recommend, but take
full advantage of all the benefits it offers to enrich not only your pleasure
reading, but your understanding of this period and people. Read more about this gem at http://www.seagullbook.com/lds-products-723398.html.

2 comments:

Heather, your books come to mind as I read the Book of Mormon. I think of the cities you've described, and the challenges facing the women. I appreciate the complexities of the geography and culture, and I work harder to read between the lines, to understand the portion of the story that wasn't recorded. Thank you for giving your readers that.

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“A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do. We are trying to do a futile thing if we do not know where we came from or what we have been about.”-Woodrow Wilson